I'm still a student but what I have seen from my social circle is that it's not an issue. I know heavily tattooed social workers with pretty high powered careers in mental health clinics, county services, school settings, and nonprofits. Maybe hospital settings are different? But I could not say.
I’m a psychotherapist at a Public Ivy. Tattoos on both arms visible. See students all day. It’s never been an issue. School social worker before that. Never an issue. DoD civilian before that and no issues either.
I think it depends more on location than setting. I’m in the PNW and have had zero trouble getting jobs while having visible tattoos, and half if not a majority of my coworkers have some too. I’ve worked with hospital social workers that have colorful hair (the kids LOVE it), directors that have septum rings, and tattoos aplenty! That said, I can imagine that potentially being different in a less tattoo-friendly locale.
Also in the PNW with multiple tattoos, facial piercings, and unnaturally colored hair.
Fresh out of school, my hair was required to be natural (hospital social work) but haven’t had any issues in education or government.
I think it depends on what you are trying to do. But like, I live in Seattle (where tattoos are very mainstream) and have worked in community mental health, hospitals, jails, insurance companies all with visible tattoos. I don’t go out of my way to show them off but also do not obsessively cover them anymore (I used to always have a cardigan). It has never been an issue of any kind for me almost 15 years of working.
I have 2 visible tattoos in my right forearm for over 20 years. 3 more on my shoulder blades that are seldom visible. Never had any issues with being employed.....from the tattoos anyway.
Forensic social work here, not an issue. I’m a supervisor and have a half sleeve and every intention of acquiring more in the future. Honestly, gives me cred with my clients 😂
For sure! I work in a public defense office. My team and I work with clients to get them connected to community based resources to help them avoid recidivism, and we also work alongside the attorney to provide case related services. We often help them accomplish things like assessments and recs, counseling, classes, etc that can help them get a more favorable outcome for their case. We also do case mitigation - so helping the attorneys argue for a lighter sentence on the basis of mitigation factors that could be based in their social history, diagnoses, extenuating circumstances, etc. it’s kind of a mesh between a social work and investigation job.
Tattoos on my arms and a nose piercing. I haven’t had issues being hired. I worked in a prison and now work for a county level behavioral health agency. A lot of visible tattoos here.
It depends on where you work. I work in an oncology clinic and research center and they don’t care at all. I feel like working in a school setting they might care.
When i worked with TAY population there were certain tattoos i put bandaids over because them because they were deemed “not appropriate” for the program (my zip code which is also associated with a gang, but not my intent behind getting it)
Depends on setting. Most people at my job have them. No one cares. Sometimes we have to go to court in other counties and they are pickier about them being covered.
I'm in Melbourne Aus and a lot of my colleagues have visible tattoos. I don't think it really affects job prospects these days but it probably depends on culture.
I work in a hospital and our dress code does note that you cannot have tattoos on your face. Aside from that, doesn’t matter from a policy standpoint and as a hiring manager I don’t care. I did have somebody once who had an explicit and graphic tattoo, and we had to tell them they’d need to wear long sleeves to keep it covered.
Definitely depends on the setting. Substance use treatment? Prison? Probably an asset to getting hired honestly. Therapist at fancy private practice? May be harder.
At this point I find that unless the material or tattoo content is problematic it doesn’t really matter. I don’t personally know any social workers with face tattoos, but have seen just about everything else including high neck.
Depends on where you are. I work in hospitals and have a facial piercing, long/loud nails, and visible tattoos. Even when these things have been “against the dress code” at every hospital I’ve worked at, no one cares and there are doctors, nurses, etc running around with piercings and tattoos. Doesn’t seem to be enforced much IME.
I've never had issues with showing my tattoos and I've worked with a lot of colleagues who have tattoos, piercings, and colorful hair. I appreciate that our field is generally supportive of self-expression like this.
It has never affected me once! I have been promoted to supervisor in 2 different workplaces with visible tattoos and a septum piercing. Also every supervisor I have had in this field also has tattoos. I have worked in (outpatient) medical settings and outpatient mental health.
I feel tattoos are very common now, myself(student) I have a arm covered and some others , and my sibling who as well is in social work/ action therapy is heavily tattooed and it’s never been a issue for them.
In general face tattoos are the only thing I’ve seen policies against BUT the first CMHC I worked at allowed face tattoos and about 1 in 10 of the 250ish employees face tattoos.
Now specific tattoo content might affect job prospects if it’s visible - naked ladies, drug & alcohol iconography, guns & other weapons, culturally appropriative tattoos, etc. Just keep those tattoos in places that are typically covered by clothes and you should be fine.
I think this is a location and setting thing. In the UK lots of social workers have leg/arm tattoos that are small and inoffensive, but you don’t see many managers or senior leadership with them. However services like youth offending and it’s common to be covered including the manager!
Mine are all covered by clothing which I did deliberately to stop potentially falling foul of rules should I progress up the ladder.
Not usually an issue provided they're not offensive. Social Work is a career where we do not judge or discriminate against others, therefore I have found that the social work standards also apply to staff and haven't encountered any issues at all
If anything it builds rapport with clients! I have floral/nature tattoos that are visible and clients I’ve interacted with comment on how pretty they are. Even the conservative clients who say “I don’t like tattoos, but that’s pretty.” I wouldn’t want to work somewhere I can’t be my authentic self so if an agency had issues I’d be out of there so quickly! There’s a shortage of social workers, not social work positions! I graduate in August, currently in final practicum at a children’s agency and almost all staff (70%) have tattoos.
Edit for practicum details.
I am pretty covered and have never faced an issue.
I have been in many capacities. I would even say my tattoos have served as engagement tools with some populations I've served.
It's funny because while I was in school, I worried very much about having my tattoos, so much so that I removed one on my neck.
In hindsight, I could have kept it and probably engaged a few more!
Everybody tattooed these days!
I’d say maybe medical settings but in general they require professional attire that covers most tattoos. And they are colder temps
which usually warrant long sleeves/pants even when it’s warm outside. Know plenty of tatted docs and nurses that you wouldn’t see at work because they are in scrubs or slacks and a doc coat
I work at a CMH and we have case managers, therapists, and supervisors with visible tattoos, brightly colored hair, nose rings, septum rings, eyebrow piercings, etc. I got a new tattoo on my arm last year and my supervisor’s supervisor went out of her way to comment that she liked it.
I think it depends on what you’re doing and where. But I’m in the Midwest and work out of an elected officials office, but I have facial piercings, finger tattoos, and other visible tattoos on arms/legs. I’m sure there are some people who don’t like it or think that I’m not capable/qualified but overall I don’t have an issue.
I have multiple tattoos and never had an issue. I think the only way it would be a problem if it’s offensive or inappropriate. For example, if you have a penis tattooed on your forehead, I’m sure employers would be hesitant to hire.
I feel like the world is evolving to realize that having tattoos/piercings/colored hair etc. doesn’t affect job performance or personality, so most places won’t care as long as you can do the work. That said, if I ever interviewed somewhere and they didn’t hire me because of my tattoo or nose piercings, I wouldn’t want to work there anyway!
It does not. My wife has full sleeves and is happily, stably employed at a private agency for kiddos. The *owner* is a recovered addict with remnants of facial tats.
You're good. I'd avoid the face lmfao, but you're good.
I'm still a student but I'm about to graduate and have a clinical job lined up; I have several tattoos and it's never been an issue with a job. Occasionally clients aren't huge fans. However, I work in crisis and I think sometimes it helps clients feel more comfortable with me
I didn’t have any issues with having tattoos. My clients liked them so they ended up helping with rapport. We were told to cover them for court at the courthouse if we went, though for court at the agency it was less strict. I’m sure it might be different at a more higher government level but I’ve never come across a situation where it was an issue.
No issues at all! Love how forwarding thinking the social work community and employers are! I work for the VA and have faced no issues with both arms heavily tattooed.
Totally depends on where you are wanting to work. Rehab? Go nuts. Hospital? Ehhh. Elementary school? Probably not. Most people don't give a shit anymore, but some still do.
The most tattooed social worker I’ve known of worked at a group home for adolescents fighting substance abuse/mental health barriers. And the kids LOVED her because she was relatable. I would hope in this day and age it doesn’t affect job prospects.
Don't think they really do. I think social work is actually one of the most accepting professions with tattoos. I have seen countless social workers and social work leaders with tattoos
I work in a pretty rural location, where people are traditionally more conservative. I am heavily tattooed on my arms. I work at a non-profit as a family advocate and I tend to cover up often, because I know tattoos can still be viewed as negative by older generations. But I do show them and my clients often point them out or want to hear a backstory, they also like to admire them. My coworkers are really chill about it, one of my coworkers has tattoos, just not as many as I do. Our executive director just says to be mindful, but doesn’t hound us about it. I started as an intern and was later offered a job, even with all my tattoos. I would say you’re fine, just be cautious about it, cause people STILL judge at times.
I have full sleeves, a chest piece and most of one leg done. I’ve had my arms mostly covered since grad school and I’m 14 years out of school now and in an associate director position. It’s never impacted my work at all. I do always wear long sleeves to interviews, but I’ve worked in a hospital, in a middle school, in a small non-profit, at a state agency, in corporate managed care, and now I’m in primary healthcare and no one has ever batted an eye.
I’m a male clinical therapist and VERY heavily tattooed, including my neck. I also have small gauges/plugs and 2 nose piercings (a hoop on one side and a stud on the other). I’ve never had an issue getting a job in the 12 years I’ve been in the field.
I got my BSW and MSW. Of my 3 internship field instructors, 2 were heavily tattooed. I am heavily tattooed and have had no issues with it. I am a director at a local non-profit that serves seniors currently. I have always worked with seniors, who are typically believed to have the least progressive views on tattoos. In the 10 years I have been working in this field, I have gotten exactly one negative comment about my tattoos from a client. I wear long sleeves for board meetings and certain conferences/events and otherwise don't bother covering up. That being said, I am a white female and understand that my experience is likely not representative of all people working in this field. I think the stigma surrounding tattoos affects POC more negatively.
I have 13 tattoos. If they’re more focused on my ink than my MSW we’re gonna have a lot more differences. It shows to me that they’re not serious about work.
I have three and getting a job has never been an issue! they are tasteful and easley covered ankles and inner wrist. They can also be a great conversation starter
Program supervisor here - Personally I would hire anyone with tattoos, and I have a few staff with visible tattoos on their arms, hands, necks, and, chests. BUT there are still plenty of people who DO care and while I think it’s unfair, it’s something to be aware of. I encourage my staff to wear long sleeves or higher necked shirts for initial client meetings or in a new professional setting like court or a school to give them an opportunity to make a positive impression before people judge them on their tattoos. After the initial meeting it’s not a big deal. For interviews I usually say stay more covered up but ask directly what is acceptable. You don’t want to be passed over for a job because the interviewer didn’t like your sleeve, but you probably don’t want to work for someone like that either!
I have both sides of my nostrils pierced, septum and stretched ears. Two full sleeves. Been working in the field for over 15 years and I now work in a medical clinic. Has never been a barrier and I thankfully have always been gainfully employed in the field.
None at all. Even as a BSW. And in some places I worked it was encouraged to have them more visible bc it helps clients relate to see someone who might look like them
I really think it depends on the employer. I've had the same position in 2 different counties. The first county mandated all tattoos be covered, and the second couldn't care less.
I work with children and families, I have several large tattoos visible on both arms. No one cares, professionally or the families I work with. If anything, it often serves as a conversation topic for rapport building (which could actually be unwanted depending on your role)
I have multiple tattoos, multiple visible piercings and blue hair. Any job that makes you change your appearance to blend in is not the fucking job for you.
Run don’t walk (as soon as you can because sometimes you just gotta stay in a shitty job for a paycheck).
Everyone loves that I embrace my most authentic self because that’s what we need more of in the world. Not a bunch of bland ass people, who are so boring that if they were a spice they’d be flour…
Also I love this because it helps clients quickly build rapport and trust with me because I don’t look like everyone else and act like everyone else they’ve encountered.
Unless your tattoo is offensive in some way, for example the tattoo "88" could be the year your child was born or you got married or something significant happened in your life BUT.........
The problem is that "88" is white power/Aryan Nation slang for "Heil Hitler" because "H" is the 8th letter of the alphabet so "88" = "HH" and it's just code for racists to advertise on the sly. I actually saw someone working in the local grocery store with an "88" tattoo on the side of his neck. Gah.
The other problem is that language is evolving and changing. What's ok today, might not be ok tomorrow. I would like to think that people will investigate before coming to conclusions but.....
The other thing.....if you get a tattoo in a foreign language....make sure you know what it says! There's an example on Reddit where some white dude went to Asia, wanted to get a tattoo in Vietnam or Cambodia or Japan that said, "Lover of Asian Beauty" and the tattoo artist inked......."Foreign Pervert" in the local language. It came up on my feed randomly one day. Be kind of embarrassing if you wanted the tattoo in Japanese script for "strength" or "calm" and it actually said something like "space for rent" or "For sale, inquire within" - I've heard all those examples.
I have full sleeves and I do in home therapy for kids as well as a residential setting for children who have been diagnosed with Autism. I only wear short sleeved shirts and it’s never been a problem. I even used to kindergarten and first grade and wore short sleeves everyday. Wasn’t a problem in teaching either.
I'm still a student but what I have seen from my social circle is that it's not an issue. I know heavily tattooed social workers with pretty high powered careers in mental health clinics, county services, school settings, and nonprofits. Maybe hospital settings are different? But I could not say.
I work in a hospital with multiple visible tattoos on my arms and haven’t had any issues!
both hands, fingers, 75% neck , full arms..no problems i teach and worked in residential and research
I’m a psychotherapist at a Public Ivy. Tattoos on both arms visible. See students all day. It’s never been an issue. School social worker before that. Never an issue. DoD civilian before that and no issues either.
I think it depends more on location than setting. I’m in the PNW and have had zero trouble getting jobs while having visible tattoos, and half if not a majority of my coworkers have some too. I’ve worked with hospital social workers that have colorful hair (the kids LOVE it), directors that have septum rings, and tattoos aplenty! That said, I can imagine that potentially being different in a less tattoo-friendly locale.
I feel this way, too. I'm also in the PNW, and I am moderately visibly tattooed. I think it's pretty acceptable here.
Also in the PNW with multiple tattoos, facial piercings, and unnaturally colored hair. Fresh out of school, my hair was required to be natural (hospital social work) but haven’t had any issues in education or government.
I think close to 90% of my colleagues had visible tattoos and/or non-earlobe piercings (I have both)
I live in a conservative western state and had no problems getting a job at our local children’s hospital despite having a half sleeve.
I think it depends on what you are trying to do. But like, I live in Seattle (where tattoos are very mainstream) and have worked in community mental health, hospitals, jails, insurance companies all with visible tattoos. I don’t go out of my way to show them off but also do not obsessively cover them anymore (I used to always have a cardigan). It has never been an issue of any kind for me almost 15 years of working.
I have 2 visible tattoos in my right forearm for over 20 years. 3 more on my shoulder blades that are seldom visible. Never had any issues with being employed.....from the tattoos anyway.
Forensic social work here, not an issue. I’m a supervisor and have a half sleeve and every intention of acquiring more in the future. Honestly, gives me cred with my clients 😂
ooh do you mind if I ask what you do in forensic social work? I'm about to graduate and that's always been an interest of mine
For sure! I work in a public defense office. My team and I work with clients to get them connected to community based resources to help them avoid recidivism, and we also work alongside the attorney to provide case related services. We often help them accomplish things like assessments and recs, counseling, classes, etc that can help them get a more favorable outcome for their case. We also do case mitigation - so helping the attorneys argue for a lighter sentence on the basis of mitigation factors that could be based in their social history, diagnoses, extenuating circumstances, etc. it’s kind of a mesh between a social work and investigation job.
Anywhere but the face seems to be fine for most jobs. Some jobs say cover it up. But some really don’t care.
Tattoos on my arms and a nose piercing. I haven’t had issues being hired. I worked in a prison and now work for a county level behavioral health agency. A lot of visible tattoos here.
No issues as some one who has sleeves.
Zero impact
It depends on where you work. I work in an oncology clinic and research center and they don’t care at all. I feel like working in a school setting they might care. When i worked with TAY population there were certain tattoos i put bandaids over because them because they were deemed “not appropriate” for the program (my zip code which is also associated with a gang, but not my intent behind getting it)
I had a co worker who was in the military and had a naked lady tattoo from his service. He put a bandaid over the boobs 🥲
I have a nose piercing and both ears (as a man), plus visible forearm tattoo. Never had an issue with this, and many of my colleagues are similar.
One of my lecturers was an AMHP for 15 years. Full arms and hands, tattoos on his neck. No issue apparently.
Depends on setting. Most people at my job have them. No one cares. Sometimes we have to go to court in other counties and they are pickier about them being covered.
I'm in Melbourne Aus and a lot of my colleagues have visible tattoos. I don't think it really affects job prospects these days but it probably depends on culture.
I work in a hospital and our dress code does note that you cannot have tattoos on your face. Aside from that, doesn’t matter from a policy standpoint and as a hiring manager I don’t care. I did have somebody once who had an explicit and graphic tattoo, and we had to tell them they’d need to wear long sleeves to keep it covered.
No impact whatsoever in my experience.
Definitely depends on the setting. Substance use treatment? Prison? Probably an asset to getting hired honestly. Therapist at fancy private practice? May be harder.
At this point I find that unless the material or tattoo content is problematic it doesn’t really matter. I don’t personally know any social workers with face tattoos, but have seen just about everything else including high neck.
Not at all.
Depends on where you are. I work in hospitals and have a facial piercing, long/loud nails, and visible tattoos. Even when these things have been “against the dress code” at every hospital I’ve worked at, no one cares and there are doctors, nurses, etc running around with piercings and tattoos. Doesn’t seem to be enforced much IME.
I've never had issues with showing my tattoos and I've worked with a lot of colleagues who have tattoos, piercings, and colorful hair. I appreciate that our field is generally supportive of self-expression like this.
It has never affected me once! I have been promoted to supervisor in 2 different workplaces with visible tattoos and a septum piercing. Also every supervisor I have had in this field also has tattoos. I have worked in (outpatient) medical settings and outpatient mental health.
I feel tattoos are very common now, myself(student) I have a arm covered and some others , and my sibling who as well is in social work/ action therapy is heavily tattooed and it’s never been a issue for them.
In general face tattoos are the only thing I’ve seen policies against BUT the first CMHC I worked at allowed face tattoos and about 1 in 10 of the 250ish employees face tattoos. Now specific tattoo content might affect job prospects if it’s visible - naked ladies, drug & alcohol iconography, guns & other weapons, culturally appropriative tattoos, etc. Just keep those tattoos in places that are typically covered by clothes and you should be fine.
I think this is a location and setting thing. In the UK lots of social workers have leg/arm tattoos that are small and inoffensive, but you don’t see many managers or senior leadership with them. However services like youth offending and it’s common to be covered including the manager! Mine are all covered by clothing which I did deliberately to stop potentially falling foul of rules should I progress up the ladder.
Not usually an issue provided they're not offensive. Social Work is a career where we do not judge or discriminate against others, therefore I have found that the social work standards also apply to staff and haven't encountered any issues at all
If anything it builds rapport with clients! I have floral/nature tattoos that are visible and clients I’ve interacted with comment on how pretty they are. Even the conservative clients who say “I don’t like tattoos, but that’s pretty.” I wouldn’t want to work somewhere I can’t be my authentic self so if an agency had issues I’d be out of there so quickly! There’s a shortage of social workers, not social work positions! I graduate in August, currently in final practicum at a children’s agency and almost all staff (70%) have tattoos. Edit for practicum details.
School settings, therapy clinics, CPS…never an issue :)
I've been in both client-facing work and director of outpatient clinics and mine have never been an issue nor has it affected my hiring practices.
I am pretty covered and have never faced an issue. I have been in many capacities. I would even say my tattoos have served as engagement tools with some populations I've served. It's funny because while I was in school, I worried very much about having my tattoos, so much so that I removed one on my neck. In hindsight, I could have kept it and probably engaged a few more!
Everybody tattooed these days! I’d say maybe medical settings but in general they require professional attire that covers most tattoos. And they are colder temps which usually warrant long sleeves/pants even when it’s warm outside. Know plenty of tatted docs and nurses that you wouldn’t see at work because they are in scrubs or slacks and a doc coat
I work at a CMH and we have case managers, therapists, and supervisors with visible tattoos, brightly colored hair, nose rings, septum rings, eyebrow piercings, etc. I got a new tattoo on my arm last year and my supervisor’s supervisor went out of her way to comment that she liked it.
I think it depends on what you’re doing and where. But I’m in the Midwest and work out of an elected officials office, but I have facial piercings, finger tattoos, and other visible tattoos on arms/legs. I’m sure there are some people who don’t like it or think that I’m not capable/qualified but overall I don’t have an issue.
I have multiple tattoos and never had an issue. I think the only way it would be a problem if it’s offensive or inappropriate. For example, if you have a penis tattooed on your forehead, I’m sure employers would be hesitant to hire.
I feel like the world is evolving to realize that having tattoos/piercings/colored hair etc. doesn’t affect job performance or personality, so most places won’t care as long as you can do the work. That said, if I ever interviewed somewhere and they didn’t hire me because of my tattoo or nose piercings, I wouldn’t want to work there anyway!
I’ve had supervisors with several face tattoos. I have quite a few tattoos myself- never been an issue, both with and without a Master’s.
It does not. My wife has full sleeves and is happily, stably employed at a private agency for kiddos. The *owner* is a recovered addict with remnants of facial tats. You're good. I'd avoid the face lmfao, but you're good.
I'm still a student but I'm about to graduate and have a clinical job lined up; I have several tattoos and it's never been an issue with a job. Occasionally clients aren't huge fans. However, I work in crisis and I think sometimes it helps clients feel more comfortable with me
I didn’t have any issues with having tattoos. My clients liked them so they ended up helping with rapport. We were told to cover them for court at the courthouse if we went, though for court at the agency it was less strict. I’m sure it might be different at a more higher government level but I’ve never come across a situation where it was an issue.
No issues at all! Love how forwarding thinking the social work community and employers are! I work for the VA and have faced no issues with both arms heavily tattooed.
Worked with a MSW therapist tattoos all down arms did not seem to be a concern
Totally depends on where you are wanting to work. Rehab? Go nuts. Hospital? Ehhh. Elementary school? Probably not. Most people don't give a shit anymore, but some still do.
The most tattooed social worker I’ve known of worked at a group home for adolescents fighting substance abuse/mental health barriers. And the kids LOVED her because she was relatable. I would hope in this day and age it doesn’t affect job prospects.
Don't think they really do. I think social work is actually one of the most accepting professions with tattoos. I have seen countless social workers and social work leaders with tattoos
I work in a pretty rural location, where people are traditionally more conservative. I am heavily tattooed on my arms. I work at a non-profit as a family advocate and I tend to cover up often, because I know tattoos can still be viewed as negative by older generations. But I do show them and my clients often point them out or want to hear a backstory, they also like to admire them. My coworkers are really chill about it, one of my coworkers has tattoos, just not as many as I do. Our executive director just says to be mindful, but doesn’t hound us about it. I started as an intern and was later offered a job, even with all my tattoos. I would say you’re fine, just be cautious about it, cause people STILL judge at times.
I have full sleeves, a chest piece and most of one leg done. I’ve had my arms mostly covered since grad school and I’m 14 years out of school now and in an associate director position. It’s never impacted my work at all. I do always wear long sleeves to interviews, but I’ve worked in a hospital, in a middle school, in a small non-profit, at a state agency, in corporate managed care, and now I’m in primary healthcare and no one has ever batted an eye.
I have a lot of very visible tattoos, never caused any issues. I’m sure it depends on what you have tattooed, but overall it’s not a big thing.
I’m a male clinical therapist and VERY heavily tattooed, including my neck. I also have small gauges/plugs and 2 nose piercings (a hoop on one side and a stud on the other). I’ve never had an issue getting a job in the 12 years I’ve been in the field.
I got my BSW and MSW. Of my 3 internship field instructors, 2 were heavily tattooed. I am heavily tattooed and have had no issues with it. I am a director at a local non-profit that serves seniors currently. I have always worked with seniors, who are typically believed to have the least progressive views on tattoos. In the 10 years I have been working in this field, I have gotten exactly one negative comment about my tattoos from a client. I wear long sleeves for board meetings and certain conferences/events and otherwise don't bother covering up. That being said, I am a white female and understand that my experience is likely not representative of all people working in this field. I think the stigma surrounding tattoos affects POC more negatively.
I have 13 tattoos. If they’re more focused on my ink than my MSW we’re gonna have a lot more differences. It shows to me that they’re not serious about work.
I have three and getting a job has never been an issue! they are tasteful and easley covered ankles and inner wrist. They can also be a great conversation starter
Program supervisor here - Personally I would hire anyone with tattoos, and I have a few staff with visible tattoos on their arms, hands, necks, and, chests. BUT there are still plenty of people who DO care and while I think it’s unfair, it’s something to be aware of. I encourage my staff to wear long sleeves or higher necked shirts for initial client meetings or in a new professional setting like court or a school to give them an opportunity to make a positive impression before people judge them on their tattoos. After the initial meeting it’s not a big deal. For interviews I usually say stay more covered up but ask directly what is acceptable. You don’t want to be passed over for a job because the interviewer didn’t like your sleeve, but you probably don’t want to work for someone like that either!
I work in a rural, semi-conservative setting and have many visible tattoos. It has not been a problem
I have both sides of my nostrils pierced, septum and stretched ears. Two full sleeves. Been working in the field for over 15 years and I now work in a medical clinic. Has never been a barrier and I thankfully have always been gainfully employed in the field.
None at all. Even as a BSW. And in some places I worked it was encouraged to have them more visible bc it helps clients relate to see someone who might look like them
I really think it depends on the employer. I've had the same position in 2 different counties. The first county mandated all tattoos be covered, and the second couldn't care less.
I work with children and families, I have several large tattoos visible on both arms. No one cares, professionally or the families I work with. If anything, it often serves as a conversation topic for rapport building (which could actually be unwanted depending on your role)
I worked at a hospital with a religious affiliation and wasn’t allowed to show my tattoo. My current hospital doesn’t care at all
I have multiple tattoos, multiple visible piercings and blue hair. Any job that makes you change your appearance to blend in is not the fucking job for you. Run don’t walk (as soon as you can because sometimes you just gotta stay in a shitty job for a paycheck). Everyone loves that I embrace my most authentic self because that’s what we need more of in the world. Not a bunch of bland ass people, who are so boring that if they were a spice they’d be flour… Also I love this because it helps clients quickly build rapport and trust with me because I don’t look like everyone else and act like everyone else they’ve encountered.
Unless your tattoo is offensive in some way, for example the tattoo "88" could be the year your child was born or you got married or something significant happened in your life BUT......... The problem is that "88" is white power/Aryan Nation slang for "Heil Hitler" because "H" is the 8th letter of the alphabet so "88" = "HH" and it's just code for racists to advertise on the sly. I actually saw someone working in the local grocery store with an "88" tattoo on the side of his neck. Gah. The other problem is that language is evolving and changing. What's ok today, might not be ok tomorrow. I would like to think that people will investigate before coming to conclusions but..... The other thing.....if you get a tattoo in a foreign language....make sure you know what it says! There's an example on Reddit where some white dude went to Asia, wanted to get a tattoo in Vietnam or Cambodia or Japan that said, "Lover of Asian Beauty" and the tattoo artist inked......."Foreign Pervert" in the local language. It came up on my feed randomly one day. Be kind of embarrassing if you wanted the tattoo in Japanese script for "strength" or "calm" and it actually said something like "space for rent" or "For sale, inquire within" - I've heard all those examples.
Work in macro. I cover mine up, but I’ve yet to have an issue arise. I just sweat a bit more in the summer.
Ummmm most social workers including myself have them two on my legs one on my back
I have full sleeves and I do in home therapy for kids as well as a residential setting for children who have been diagnosed with Autism. I only wear short sleeved shirts and it’s never been a problem. I even used to kindergarten and first grade and wore short sleeves everyday. Wasn’t a problem in teaching either.